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Source: NC AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL, 1/10/22
The Honorable U.S. House of Representatives/United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20 Dear MC/USS:
We write to share our opposition to S. 3283, which upends the science-based safety standards that are used to protect farmers, workers, and the public. We represent a wide range of groups who rely on the availability of safe and effective pesticides in diverse settings to produce America’s food and specialty crops, fiber, and biofuel and to protect our public health and infrastructure and we support the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
FIFRA provides for federal regulation of pesticide distribution, sale, and use and establishes stringent safety standards and oversight. All pesticides distributed or sold in the United States must be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and then reregistered every fifteen years. EPA is required to review the most current scientific data on health and environmental impacts for all pesticide products and impose requirements to minimize any risks before they are made available for sale and use. The data must show that products work as intended and can be used safely. Product label restrictions and instructions are designed to ensure a product is used effectively and safely in a manner that mitigates any identified risks. FIFRA already requires EPA to consider economic, social, and environmental benefits and risks, and the most recent amendments to FIFRA included in the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) added specific considerations for risks to infants and children when determining if a product can be registered. While reregistration is required to occur at least every fifteen years, it can and often does occur more frequently. EPA can initiate a review if scientific data becomes available that questions the safety of a product. For example, some of the organophosphate products specifically mentioned in S. 3283 have undergone multiple EPA risk assessments since 1996.
S. 3283 would repeal decades of federal regulation and scientific progress, undermining the work of EPA’s career scientists in the evaluation of pesticide safety and oversight of pesticide registration and use. S. 3283 would jeopardize the continued availability and innovation of pesticide products by imposing an unscientific and unbalanced process that could unnecessarily remove pest control options from those who need them to safely grow crops, to adopt conservation practices such as conservation tillage and resource-saving crop rotations, to protect homes and infrastructure, to control pathogens and disease vectors, and to maintain green spaces, such as parks and golf courses.
Pesticide manufacturers, pesticide users, and the public all have an interest in ensuring that the pesticide regulatory process imposes stringent regulatory controls on pesticide use based on the principles of sound science, transparency, and broad stakeholder engagement. We remain committed to protecting human health and the environment while maintaining America’s important food, fiber, and biofuel production and protecting its public health and infrastructure.
If we can provide additional information or answer questions useful towards meeting these goals, please know our member organizations would be happy to provide more detail. Sincerely, Agribusiness Association of Iowa Agribusiness Council of Indiana Agricultural Council of Arkansas Agricultural Retailers Association Alabama Agribusiness Council Alabama Cotton Commission Alabama Farmers Federation Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association Alabama Pest Control Association Alabama Turfgrass Association Alabama Vegetation Management Society Almond Alliance of California American Chemistry Council's Center for Biocide Chemistries American Farm Bureau Federation American Mosquito Control Association American Mushroom Institute American Seed Trade Association American Soybean Association AmericanHort Animal Health Institute Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation Aquatic Plant Management Society Arizona Cotton Growers Arizona Crop Protection Association Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Arizona Nursery Association Arizona Pest Professional Organization Arkansas Crop Protection Association Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Arkansas Rice Federation Arkansas Rice Growers Association Arkansas Soybean Association Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado Association of Equipment Manufacturers Biological Products Industry Alliance Biotechnology Innovation Organization Bluegrass Golf Course Superintendents Association Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association of Arizona California Citrus Mutual California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association California Farm Bureau California Fresh Fruit Association California Golf Course Owners Association California Golf Course Superintendents Association California Rice Commission California Specialty Crops Council Calusa Golf Course Superintendents Association Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Central Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association Central Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association Central Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association Central Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association Cherry Marketing Institute Chicagoland Association of Golf Course Superintendents Colorado Association of Conservation Districts Colorado Association of Wheat Growers Colorado Cattlemen's Association Colorado Farm Bureau Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association Colorado Pest Control Association Colorado Potato Legislative Association Colorado Professional Beekeepers Association Colorado Weed Management Association Colorado Wool Growers Association Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents Connecticut Environmental Council Connecticut Farm Bureau Association Connecticut Pest Control Association Cotton and Grain Producers of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Inc. Cotton Producers of Missouri Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology CropLife America Delaware Farm Bureau Delaware Maryland Agribusiness Association Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association Delta Council Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents Everglades Golf Course Superintendents Association Exotic Wildlife Association Florida Farm Bureau Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association Florida Mosquito Control Association Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association Florida Pest Management Association Florida West Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association Georgia Agribusiness Council Georgia Cotton Commission Georgia Farm Bureau Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association Georgia Golf Environmental Foundation Georgia Green Industry Association Georgia Pest Control Association Georgia Urban Ag Council Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Golf Course Superintendents Association of Arkansas Golf Course Superintendents Association of Cape Cod Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey Golf Course Superintendents Association of New York Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California Golf Course Superintendents Association of South Dakota Greater Cincinnati Golf Course Superintendents Association GreenCO Gulf Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association Hi- Lo Desert Golf Course Superintendents Association Hudson Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association Idaho Golf Course Superintendents Association Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association Idaho Pest Management Association Idaho Potato Commission Illinois Farm Bureau Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Illinois Green Industry Association Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Illinois Pest Control Association Illinois Soybean Growers Indiana Farm Bureau Indiana Golf Course Superintendents Association Indiana Soybean Alliance Indiana Vector Control Association Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data Inland Empire Golf Course Superintendents Association Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association Iowa Soybean Association ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association Kansas Cotton Association Kansas Farm Bureau Kansas Golf Course Superintendents Association Kansas Grain and Feed Association Kansas Pest Control Association Kansas Soybean Association Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents Association Kentucky Farm Bureau Kentucky Pest Management Association Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association Long Island Golf Course Superintendents Association Longmont Conservation District Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Louisiana Pest Management Association Louisiana-Mississippi Golf Course Superintendents Association Louisiana Rice Producer Group Maine Golf Course Superintendents Association Maine Landscape and Nursery Association Maine Potato Board Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association Maryland State Pest Control Association Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association Miami Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association Michiana Golf Course Superintendents Association Michigan Agri-Business Association Michigan Farm Bureau Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Michigan Pest Management Association Michigan Soybean Association Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association Midwest Association of GCS Minnesota Agri-Growth Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Minnesota Farm Bureau Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association Minnesota Soybean Growers Mississippi Farm Bureau Mississippi Rice Council Missouri Farm Bureau Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council Missouri Soybean Association Montana Agricultural Business Association Montana Mosquito and Vector Control Association Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California National Agricultural Aviation Association National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants National Association of Landscape Professionals National Association of State Departments of Agriculture National Association of Wheat Growers National Barley Growers Association National Christmas Tree Association National Corn Growers Association National Cotton Council National Council of Farmer Cooperatives National Farmers Union National Golf Course Owners Association of Arizona National Onion Association National Pest Management Association National Potato Council National Roadside Vegetation Management Association National Sorghum Producers National Sunflower Association Nebraska Agri-Business Association Nebraska Golf Course Superintendents Association Nebraska Soybean Association Nevada Farm Bureau Nevada Golf Course Owners Association New England Pest Management Association New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association New Jersey Farm Bureau New Jersey Green Industry council New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association New Jersey Pest Management Association New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau New Mexico Pecos Valley Farmers New Mexico Pest Management Association New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association New York Farm Bureau New York Pest Management Association New York State Agribusiness Association New York State Flower Industries New York State Turfgrass Association North American Invasive Species Management Association North Carolina Agribusiness Council North Carolina Cotton Producers Association North Carolina Farm Bureau North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association North Carolina Pest Management Association North Carolina Potato Association North Carolina Sod Producers Association North Carolina Soybean Producers Association North Central Weed Science Society North Dakota Corn Growers Association North Dakota Farm Bureau North Dakota Grain Growers Association North Dakota Soybean Growers Association North Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association North Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association Northeastern Golf Course Superintendents Association Northeastern Weed Science Society Northern California Golf Course Superintendents Association Northern Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Northwest Horticultural Council Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association Northwest Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association Northwestern Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association Northwestern Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association Ohio AgriBusiness Association Ohio Farm Bureau Ohio Lawn Care Association Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association Ohio Pest Management Association Ohio Professional Applicators for Responsible Regulation Ohio Soybean Association Ohio Sports Turf Management Association Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Oklahoma Cotton Council Oklahoma Farm Bureau Oklahoma Golf Course Superintendents Association Oklahoma Pest Management Association Oklahoma Soybean Association Old Dominion Golf Course Superintendents Association Oregon Association of Nurseries Oregon Farm Bureau Federation Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association Oregon Mosquito and Vector Control Association Oregon Pest Control Association Oregonians for Food and Shelter Ozark Turf Association Palm Beach Golf Course Superintendents Association Peaks and Prairies Golf Course Superintendents Association Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association Pennsylvania Pest Management Association Pest Control Operators of California Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. Pocono Turfgrass Association Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) Rhode Island Farm Bureau Federation Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association Ridge Golf Course Superintendents Association Rio Grande Golf Course Superintendents Association Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Rolling Plains Cotton Growers San Diego Golf Course Superintendents Association San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association Seven Rivers Golf Course Superintendents Association Shady Canyon Golf Course Superintendents Association Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association Society of American Florists South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association South Carolina Fertilizer and Agrichemical association South Carolina Pest Control Association South Carolina Sod Producers Association South Dakota Agri-Business Association South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation South Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association South Texas Cotton and Grain Association Southern California Golf Course Superintendents Association Southern Cotton Growers, Inc. Southern Crop Production Association Southern Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association Southern Kansas Cotton Growers Cooperative Southern Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association Southern Nursery Association Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association Southern Weed Science Society Sports Turf Managers Association St. Lawrence Cotton Growers Association Suncoast Golf Course Superintendents Association Tennessee Corn Growers Association Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Tennessee Pest Control Association Tennessee Soybean Association Texas Ag Industries Association Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council Texas Citrus Mutual Texas Corn Producers Association Texas Cotton Producers, Inc. Texas Farm Bureau Texas Forestry Association Texas Grain and Feed Association Texas Nursery and Landscape Association Texas Poultry Federation Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group Texas Soybean Association Texas Vegetable Association Texas Vegetation Management Association Texas Wheat Producers Association Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association Tree Care Industry Association Tri-State Golf Course Superintendents Association Turfgrass Producers International U.S. Apple Association U.S. Canola Association U.S. Durum Growers Association U.S. Hop Industry Plant Protection Committee U.S. Rice Producers Association United Fresh Produce Association United Producers, Formulators and Distributors Association USA Rice Utah Golf Course Superintendents Association Utah Mosquito Abatement Association Utah Pest Management Association Vector Disease Control International Vermont Farm Bureau Vermont Golf Course Superintendents Association Virginia Agribusiness Council Virginia Farm Bureau Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Virginia Pest Management Association Virginia Soybean Association Virginia Turfgrass Council Washington Association of Wheat Growers Washington Farm Bureau Washington Friends of Farms and Forests Washington Mint Growers Association Washington State Pest Management Association Washington State Potato Commission Washington Winegrowers Association Weed Science Society of America West Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association West Virginia Farm Bureau West Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association West Virginia Pest Management Association Western Agricultural Processers Association Western Plant Health Association Western Society of Weed Science Western Washington Golf Course Superintendents Association Wisconsin Agri-Business Association Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association Wisconsin Pest Control Association Wisconsin Soybean Association Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Wyoming Weed and Pest Council
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